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AbstractSusan Toenges (“Sue”) Montfort was a sex educator with Planned Parenthood from 1974 to 2013. She was the author or editor of numerous teaching guides and lesson plans on a spectrum of sexual health topics. This article remembers and celebrates Sue’s life and contributions to the world of sex education and includes memories from her friends and colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of medical scientific journal publishing merits further explanation for authors and readers. Prospective authors need to understand the scope of the journal and the article types that are published. We give an overview of the editorial process, including selection of reviewers, peer review and decisions regarding revision, acceptance and rejection of papers for Australasian Psychiatry. We encourage authors and readers to submit papers, and volunteer as peer reviewers, working together with the journal editorial team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of preprints in scientific research, which are preliminary versions of manuscripts that are shared on open access servers without peer review. It presents arguments both for and against using preprints, highlighting the benefits of speed, accessibility, and increased engagement, as well as concerns about trustworthiness and potential misinformation. The article provides practical guidance on posting, disclosing, updating, and citing preprints. While preprints are considered an important part of science communication and publication strategy, caution is advised in interpreting and sharing their results. The article also discusses the process of updating and linking preprints, as well as citing preprints in manuscripts. It emphasizes that final published versions and interim versions produced during peer review should not be posted on a preprint server, and provides recommendations for properly citing preprints. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Figures of Interpretation" explores the role of interpreters in various contexts and the ethical dilemmas they face. Through 31 narrative vignettes, the book introduces different individuals who work as interpreters, such as a journalist in the Middle East, an immigrant in the United States, a child in Spain, and a philosophy student in Switzerland. The book highlights the intersection of language work with factors like ethnicity, class, gender, and social and geopolitical conditions. It challenges traditional academic writing norms and prompts reflection on the politics of writing, knowledge production, and collaborative work. The book offers a unique perspective on structural inequalities and the potential for change. [Extracted from the article]

The "Journal of Special Education Leadership Author Submission Guidelines" is a document that outlines the requirements for authors interested in submitting articles to the Journal of Special Education Leadership. The journal focuses on providing tools and information related to special education administration, based on recent advances in theory, research, and practice. Authors are expected to contribute to the knowledge of managing special education service delivery systems and present significant research in the field. The document also includes information on the journal's formatting guidelines, the blind peer review process, publishing ethics, and the actions taken in case of misconduct. Access to the full-text articles published in the journal is available through CASE membership or individual/institutional subscription. The document also provides details about the publisher, the Council of Administrators of Special Education. [Extracted from the article]

This editorial is companion to the first registered report published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology entitled, "Scope of School Psychological Practice in Germany: Part 1" by Alexa von Hagen et al. This manuscript outlines the importance of evidence-based practices in school psychology, identifies weaknesses in the foundation of current research practices, and discusses registered reports as a tool to enhance research rigor by mitigating biases such as p -hacking and publication bias. Registered reports have gained traction despite initial reservations from researchers due to perceived constraints and barriers; this approach to publication of scholarly articles can lead to a positive shift in the relationship between authors and editors during the publication process, fostering collaboration, transparency, and credibility in the research practice and ultimately leading to improved evidence-based practice. Initial experiences from the first registered report in the field of school psychology are examined, noting advantages, disadvantages, and future recommendations. The adoption of registered reports signifies a cultural shift toward more robust, transparent, and credible research practices in school psychology, leading to true evidence-based practice with increased likelihood of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mitteilungen des Deutschen Germanistenverbandes is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journalism Research is the property of Sur le journalisme, About journalism, Sobre jornalismo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article "EU Cohesion Policy: A Multidisciplinary Approach" published in the Hungarian Geographical Bulletin discusses the evolution, current status, and future challenges of the European Union's Cohesion Policy (CP). The CP aims to reduce territorial disparities between Member States and regions, promoting solidarity within the EU. The book review section highlights the multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach of the volume, making it suitable for academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students interested in CP and European integration. [Extracted from the article]

Psychological Science is a respected journal in the field of psychology that aims to publish rigorous and diverse research findings. The journal is committed to transparency, diversity, and inclusivity, and is implementing changes to increase equity and inclusion. They are introducing public online "office hours" and diversifying the editorial board to provide assistance to authors who may not have had access to relevant resources. The journal also emphasizes the importance of maintaining rigor while acknowledging the limitations of research. They are addressing the need for increased transparency and accountability by making more information public about their evaluation criteria, introducing Registered Reports to reduce bias, enforcing conflict-of-interest rules, and providing readers with access to peer-review histories. The goal is to improve the quality and diversity of articles published and create a more equitable and just process. [Extracted from the article]

The edited collection "Thinking with an Accent: Toward a New Object, Method, and Practice" brings together scholars from various disciplines to explore the significance of accent in the global cultural economy. The book reframes existing scholarship on accent from linguistic, racial, and sound studies perspectives and examines how accent intersects with migration policy, employment, culture, digital technologies, and politics. The chapters in the collection offer diverse approaches, including conceptual analyses and case studies, to illustrate the complexities of accent and its role in power dynamics and negotiations. The book is interdisciplinary and will be valuable to fields such as cultural studies, literary studies, voice studies, linguistics, politics, law, education, and sociology. It is published in an open access format, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. [Extracted from the article]

This article aims to study mental spaces in Persian children stories within a cognitive linguistic framework. As a new branch of the linguistics, cognitive linguistics was established in 1970s. In this approach, language is considered as a reflection of thought, and studying language patterns maps conceptualization. Cognitive linguistics is distinguished from the other branches of the discipline by the presupposition that language represents fundamental features and the detailed mapping of human mind. The main purpose of this study is to find mental structures and fundamental concepts on which Persian authors of children books base their stories. To conduct the research, data was gathered through library resources and, from a corpus of fifty children stories, five stories were accidentally selected and analyzed descriptively within Gilles Fauconnier's (1997) mental spaces framework. Findings show that base space in the selected stories is constructed on the concept of "Loneliness" and presupposes that being trapped in loneliness is a problem with endless pain and sorrow. In other words, loneliness has been represented as a negative concept so that the next mental spaces be distanced from it. Stereotypically, fictional characters face this problem involuntarily, try to get out of it, and finally gain victory. The works under study in this research contain the message of collectivism and philanthropy, and the created mental spaces lead children audience to a sense of empowerment in social relations. The findings of this study can be useful both for authors and editors of children stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the production of scientific manuscripts and journal options both increase, the peer review process remains at the center of quality control. Recent advances in understanding reviewer biases and behaviors along with electronic manuscript handling records have allowed unprecedented investigations into the peer review process. Methods: We examined a sample of six journals within the field of fisheries science (and all published by the American Fisheries Society) specifically looking for changes in reviewer invitation rates, review time, patterns of reviewer agreements, and rejection rates relative to different forms of blinding. Results: Data from 6,606 manuscripts from 2011–2021 showed significant increases in reviewer invitations. Specifically, four journals showed statistically significant increases in reviewer invitations while two showed no change. Review times changed relatively little (± 2 weeks), and we found no concerning patterns in reviewer agreement. However, we documented a consistently higher rejection rate—around 20% higher—of double-blinded manuscripts when compared to single-blinded manuscripts. Conclusions: Our findings likely represent broader trends across fisheries science publications, and possibly extend to other life science disciplines. Because peer review remains a primary tool for scientific quality control, authors and editors are encouraged to understand the process and evaluate its performance at whatever level can help in the creation of trusted science. Minimally, our findings can help the six journals we investigated to better understand and improve their peer review processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the practices, policies, and support for student veterans in community colleges. It highlights the importance of supporting veterans and the increase in enrollment and services for military-connected students in community colleges. The article is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the scope of serving veterans and military-connected students, including national data, rural community college experiences, and the role of prior learning assessment. The second part delves into student experiences, diversity intersections, and support structures, exploring basic needs and housing insecurity, transition experiences, and collaborative efforts at Pikes Peak State College to support veterans. The article emphasizes the role of community colleges in providing accessible and supportive environments for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The purpose of this viewpoint is to spotlight the role of reviewers within the collaborative triad of academic publishing. It argues that the significance of reviewers is often disregarded, leading to a gap in our understanding of the peer review process. This perspective emphasizes reviewers as unsung heroes in the publishing ecosystem, providing intentional and thought-provoking insights into the less-discussed yet impactful developments in the evolving peer review landscape. Design/methodology/approach: Leveraging the author's distinguished background as a recipient of the Journal of Service Marketing Outstanding Reviewer Award, this paper offers a personal reflection and synthesised viewpoints on the peer review process. Serving as a representative voice for reviewers, it provides insightful perspectives from the vantage point of a peer reviewer, diverging from conventional editorials and commentaries authored by editors. Findings: Acknowledging the shrinking reviewer pool, this viewpoint suggests a mandatory "review for review" system alongside incentives like editorial positions, while considering financial rewards for reviewers. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in review prompts ethical concerns but offers solutions for handling diverse submissions and dealing with "Reviewer 2." While embracing open review for its transparency, potential pitfalls surrounding article confidence and copyright require attention. Ultimately, this viewpoint advocates for a collaborative approach, valuing reviewers, exploring innovative solutions, navigating ethical dilemmas in the technological age and implementing transparent practices responsibly for the betterment of scholarly discourse. Originality/value: This viewpoint highlights the invaluable contributions of reviewers, enriching the scholarly community and promoting intellectual growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the ethical considerations that editors of academic journals face. The author acknowledges that ethics can be subjective and that editors must navigate various normative and personal influences when making decisions. The article provides examples of conflicts of interest and biases that can arise in the review process. It suggests that if readers believe an editor has acted unethically, they should first approach the Editor in Chief and, if necessary, the publisher. However, the author notes that publishers may be reluctant to intervene unless the situation is severe. [Extracted from the article]

The final special issue of American Quarterly, published by a Hawai'i-based editorial team, reflects on their vision and perspective that aimed to move the field of American studies in new directions. The team emphasizes the importance of their geographic location, history, and lived experience in bringing critical perspectives to the field. They challenge the notion of "America" as a given and incorporate Indigenous, transnational, and comparative perspectives. The special issue focuses on the Pacific and centers Kanaka Maoli voices and epistemology, rejecting Americanness while also emphasizing connection, appreciation, solidarity, and love across Americanness. The journal is now being passed on to a new editorial team at the University of Notre Dame. [Extracted from the article]

The International Journal of Dermatology has received over 2000 manuscripts in the first half of the year, and to manage this influx, they have introduced 18 Junior Editors who will work closely with the Section Editors to provide quality feedback to authors and improve turnaround times. The journal also aims to build a network among the Junior Editors and support their growth in the academic community. Additionally, the journal has introduced the DermReview Mentorship Program to expand their reviewer pool and provide training for less experienced reviewers. The program encourages authors to participate actively and contribute to a collaborative and supportive academic community. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the debate surrounding sensitivity readers in the literary industry. Sensitivity readers are individuals who review manuscripts for accurate and respectful representation of marginalized groups. Critics argue that this practice amounts to censorship and compromises artistic freedom, while advocates believe it is necessary to combat harmful stereotypes. The article explores the rhetorical strategies used by critics to undermine sensitivity readers and highlights the structural inequities in the publishing industry. It also discusses the historical context and justifications for sensitivity reading, as well as the concerns and challenges faced by sensitivity readers themselves. [Extracted from the article]

The Editors of the Global Biogeochemical Cycles express their appreciation to those who served as peer reviewers for the journal in 2023. Plain Language Summary: Peer review builds trust in the scientific process and ensures high quality standards. Reviewers not only argue against the publication of certain research papers, but also help to improve the content and presentation of the final product. GBC is proud to engage a large and diverse pool of reviewers who are experienced in the publication process and offer their unique, world class expertise to the broader community. On behalf of GBC's editorial board and the entire biogeochemistry community, we thank 388 reviewers for their contribution to scientific progress in our interdisciplinary field. It has been said that peer review is like democracy—the worst method except for all others. As in a democratic system, peer reviewers play multiple other roles as members of our GBC community. Peer reviewers also engage as authors, colleagues, mentors, mentees, and sometimes as editors. Reviewers help to shape the journal content, help authors to improve the science, and also learn along the way. In 2023, 388 colleagues produced 495 review reports for GBC. These reports are a primary tool used to ensure scientific quality, novelty and integrity. Peer reviewers stand with editors and authors to protect AGU values such as excellence, inclusion and collaboration. The high trust placed on GBC papers only exists due to the unselfish dedication of our reviewers. Our editorial board is proud to work with this large, diverse pool of reviewers from all over the world, and expresses a deep gratitude to all colleagues engaging in the complex and democratic peer review process! Key Points: The editors thank the 2023 peer reviewers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Feministische Studien is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the realm of psychology and related fields, like school psychology, obtaining informed consent from clients or participants who are 18 years old or older is mandatory for researchers. However, if the individuals are below 18 years old or under a conservatorship, their assent is crucial even if their parent or legal guardian has provided formal consent. Despite the widespread recognition of the importance of assent during research, there is a lack of research and guidelines on how to obtain it effectively. To bridge this gap, we conducted a review and created a summary of research published in school psychology journals on gaining assent during research studies. The articles were categorized based on the experimental design, population, and level of assent described. Our findings offer a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on gaining assent in school psychology, which will enhance transparency in research methods. Practitioner Points: Given the findings that only a small percentage of reviewed articles provided a detailed account of how assent was obtained from children and adolescent participants, it is crucial for practitioners in school psychology research to prioritize and transparently document their assent procedures.While the current review did not identify novel methods for obtaining assent in school psychology research, practitioners should consider looking to related fields for potentially innovative approaches. Engaging participants in a way that enhances their understanding and buy‐in can lead to more accurate and valid research outcomes.Researchers and practitioners in school psychology should advocate for clear reporting standards regarding assent procedures in publications. Providing detailed information about the assent process should be seen as essential to ethical research, and authors and journal editors should consider the value of including this information in their manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Carolyn Pouncy's retirement from Kritika, where she served as managing editor for 21 years, leaving a significant void in the editorial team. Topics include her invaluable contributions to the journal's operations, her role as the "soul of Kritika," and the immense responsibility she carried in shaping both the publication and the field it represents.

Color plays an essential role in the design of user interfaces and significantly impacts the user experience. To create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces, the colors of the user interface should be consistent with the images. The latter can be challenging to achieve, as images often have different colors and are often changed by editors or authors who do not have sufficient design knowledge. To solve this problem, we have developed a model that automatically determines the color theme of the user interface based on a given image. The model first extracts the most prominent colors from the image and then considers both aesthetic (color harmony and compatibility with the image) and usability aspects (color contrast, color diversity, and color strength). All color calculations are performed in the perceptually uniform color space CAM02-UCS. In addition, the model can be adapted to the user's needs and requirements. To test the model, we implemented it in a web-based application in which the colors were automatically selected based on the featured image. The resulting color themes were then evaluated by the users, who were mainly professional designers. According to the results, the model generates color themes that are consistent with the image, aesthetic, and user-friendly. An important observation was also that color harmony can be achieved simply by using the most prominent colors of the image (regardless of their hue), suggesting that color harmony is strongly influenced by the context of use. The presented model holds significant practical importance as it can be utilized in various applications and tools. For instance, it can automatically choose a color theme for a user interface based on a particular image, such as a company logo or a product image. Moreover, it can dynamically adjust the colors of elements in real time based on the image that is visible simultaneously with the elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Computer und Recht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We would like to extend our gratitude to our amazing reviewers in 2023. We appreciate your attention to detail, your patience in working together with authors and editors through multiple rounds of revisions to ensure high quality, and of course the occasional flashes of humor and personality that shine through your reviews. Journals are only as good as their reviewers, and Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology is lucky to have the best. Thanks again from both me and Ulla. We wish you all the best in 2024. Key Points: The editors thank the 2023 peer reviewers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying and misconduct in the realm of scientific and scholarly publishing have the potential to jeopardize the transparency and integrity of academic discourse. While misconduct issues among authors have been extensively discussed, the role of editors in perpetuating or mitigating such problems has garnered less attention. Scientific publishing serves as the gateway for disseminating innovative research findings globally, and the role of editors, especially Editor/s-in-chief, is pivotal in safeguarding the rigor and credibility of published research. Editor bullying and misconduct involve behaviors that undermine the scientific process, compromise research integrity, and harm the careers and wellbeing of individuals. These actions may manifest as biased decision-making, suppression of dissenting voices, or the exploitation of power dynamics in the peer review process. To address these issues, preventive and therapeutic approaches are suggested, including enhancing awareness, recognizing and mitigating exacerbating factors, and upholding professionalism. Moreover, the importance of a conflict-of-interest declaration for editors is highlighted to ensure transparency and integrity in the editorial process. The present mini-review aims to shed light on editor bullying, illuminating its gravity and the urgency to address these issues within the academic publishing domain/s. This review underscores the more subtle, yet equally significant, issue of professional misconduct in the editorial realm of scientific journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the history and experiences of Sikhs in North America, highlighting key events and challenges that have shaped their narrative in the region. It discusses events such as the Anti-Asian riots, the United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind Supreme Court case, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Oak Creek Gurdwara massacre. The article emphasizes the importance of scholarship and community activism in addressing anti-Sikh hate incidents and preserving Sikh history. It also discusses the proceedings and outcomes of the 8th Sikh Studies Conference at the University of California, Riverside, which aimed to bring together scholars and activists to discuss the history and experiences of Sikhs in North America. The conference featured papers on various topics and was considered a success. [Extracted from the article]

"Jewish Women in Comics" is a comprehensive volume that explores the representation of Jewish women in graphic narratives. The book is divided into three sections: "Comics," "Interviews," and "Essays." The first section features short essays that analyze different comics, accompanied by full-page spreads of the illustrations. The second section presents curated transcripts of interviews between scholars and artists, providing insights into the creative processes and intentions behind the graphic narratives. The third section consists of long-form essays that offer literary analyses of specific texts and techniques used by the artists. The book emphasizes the themes of agency and the ways in which women strive to secure agency over their bodies and lives. While there are some outdated references in the interviews, overall, the volume offers a valuable and diverse exploration of representations of women in graphic narratives. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the study of medieval book fragments and the growing field of digital fragmentology. It explores the various ways in which fragments of manuscripts have been repurposed and collected over the centuries, from being used in decorative art to being studied in schools and private collections. The article also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary work and the use of digital images and software in fragment studies. It includes case studies on the resequencing of broken books, approaches to Arabic manuscript fragments, and critical threads in manuscript fragment studies. The authors hope that this collection of essays will spark conversations and broaden participation in the field of fragmentology. [Extracted from the article]

To not only celebrate the launch of this double special issue, but also to shine a spotlight on the variety of China as Method epistemological approaches shared by the special issue's editors and authors, the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, the University of Amsterdam's Media Studies Department, and Global Media and China, co-organised a hybrid symposium to generate intellectual exchanges on such a de-westernising mode of knowledge production. While the research articles in this double special issue extensively examine 'distinct' characteristics of China, in this introduction, we reflect on if we are essentialising China. We do not want to apply a universalist logic that exists in theories by and from the Global North to be 'experimented on' in the Global South; yet, we also seek to move away from 'China exceptionalism' and express the stance that China can only be understood in its positionality to other areas (and modes of knowledge production) of the world. Thus, this special issue seeks to further deconstruct China as Method, challenge the existing power imbalance, and pluralise knowledge production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a collection of articles on the topic of Pietism and economy, which originated from a conference held in Mainz in 2012. The anthology consists of twenty articles, with fifteen in German and five in English, divided into three sections. The articles explore various aspects of religious-economic connections, practices of business/economy, and cultural and religious "economies." The anthology provides a definition of the term "economy" and examines its use in the seventeenth century. While the focus is primarily on Hallensian Pietism, there are also three articles that explicitly deal with Moravian case studies. The volume offers insights into the economic practices of different pietist groups and their reactions to the feudal economy. Additionally, it explores the role of religion and economic choice in colonial America and presents case studies on various topics such as Reformed Pietist ethics, Pietist fundraising trips, and Moravian economic activity. The final section examines the influence of economic thinking on ethics and piety, as well as the concept of time management in Pietist institutions. Overall, the anthology provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between Pietism and economy during the period of 1650-1750. [Extracted from the article]

PLOS ONE, an open science journal, is committed to promoting inclusivity and equity in research. They recognize the lack of diversity in senior roles in academia and aim to improve diversity in their editorial board. They believe that a diverse editorial board leads to a more positive perception of the journal and improves the quality of peer review. PLOS ONE is actively recruiting new editors from China and increasing outreach efforts in Asia to address geographical diversity. They are also taking steps to support diversity and inclusivity in peer review and are working to understand and eliminate other potential sources of bias. [Extracted from the article]

Epilepsia Open is an open-access journal that was established in 2016 to publish epilepsy research manuscripts that would not be published in existing journals. The journal promotes transparency and rigorous scientific reporting, and it considers negative, confirmatory studies, and preliminary reports as long as they have scientific and translational merit. Epilepsia Open also publishes reports from the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and reports on global health and research initiatives. The journal has implemented various changes to make it more author-friendly and culturally sensitive, including instituting article formats that enable multicenter collaborative studies and working with authors to address diversity in sociopolitical, language, cultural, and training backgrounds. Epilepsia Open has experienced significant growth and success, receiving an outstanding first impact factor and increasing its number of annual regular issues. The journal remains a top-tier epilepsy journal and continues to attract diverse submissions from around the world. The current Editor-in-Chief, Aristea S. Galanopoulou, will be completing her term and handing over leadership to the new Editor-in-Chief, Merab Kokaia. [Extracted from the article]

A simple replacement—most likely due to a linguistic error—of the Greek letter beta (β) by the German letter Eszett (ß), has led to the introduction of an error in a body of literature related to beta (β)-catenin, resulting in the "creation" of a non-existent compound and false positive, Eszett (ß)-catenin. A search on 9 December 2023 in PubMed for ß-catenin and β-catenin revealed 395 and 45,919 results, respectively. The 25 results of ß-catenin published in 2023 were examined in more detail to appreciate the location(s) in each paper where this error had occurred. While the scientific findings of these studies do not seem to be impacted by this error, authors and editors would need to weigh the need or benefit of correcting this error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to assess the overall reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formulas for patients with diabetes, and to identify factors associated with better reporting quality. Methods: Four databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were systematically searched from their inception to December 2022. The reporting quality was assessed based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and its CHM formula extension. The overall CONSORT and its CHM formula extension scores were calculated and expressed as proportions separately. We also analyzed the pre-specified study characteristics and performed exploratory regressions to determine their associations with the reporting quality. Results: Seventy-two RCTs were included. Overall reporting quality (mean adherence) were 53.56% and 45.71% on the CONSORT statement and its CHM formula extension, respectively. The strongest associations with reporting quality based on the CONSORT statement were multiple centers and larger author numbers. Compliance with the CHM formula extension, particularly regarding the disclosure of the targeted traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern (s), was generally insufficient. Conclusion: The reporting quality of RCTs in CHM formulas for diabetes remains unsatisfactory, and the adherence to the CHM formula extension is even poorer. In order to ensure transparent and standardized reporting of RCTs, it is essential to advocate for or even mandate adherence of the CONSORT statement and its CHM formula extension when reporting trials in CHM formulas for diabetes by both authors and editors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Objectives of this study were to analyze the impact of including librarians and information specialist as methodological peer-reviewers. We sought to determine if and how librarians' comments differed from subject peer-reviewers'; whether there were differences in the implementation of their recommendations; how this impacted editorial decision-making; and the perceived utility of librarian peer-review by librarians and authors. Methods: We used a mixed method approach, conducting a qualitative analysis of reviewer reports, author replies and editors' decisions of submissions to the International Journal of Health Governance. Our content analysis categorized 16 thematic areas, so that methodological and subject peer-reviewers' comments, decisions and rejection rates could be compared. Categories were based on the standard areas covered in peer-review (e.g., title, originality, etc.) as well as additional in-depth categories relating to the methodology (e.g., search strategy, reporting guidelines, etc.). We developed and used criteria to judge reviewers' perspectives and code their comments. We conducted two online multiple-choice surveys which were qualitatively analyzed: one of methodological peer-reviewers' perceptions of peer-reviewing, the other of published authors' views on the suggested revisions. Results: Methodological peer-reviewers assessed 13 literature reviews submitted between September 2020 and March 2023. 55 reviewer reports were collected: 25 from methodological peer-reviewers, 30 from subject peer-reviewers (mean: 4.2 reviews per manuscript). Methodological peer-reviewers made more comments on methodologies, with authors more likely to implement their changes (52 of 65 changes, vs. 51 of 82 by subject peer-reviewers); they were also more likely to reject submissions (seven vs. four times, respectively). Where there were differences in recommendations to editors, journal editors were more likely to follow methodological peer-reviewers (nine vs. three times, respectively). The survey of published authors (87.5% response rate) revealed four of seven found comments on methodologies helpful. Librarians' survey responses (66.5% response rate) revealed those who conducted peer-reviews felt they improved quality of publications. Conclusions: Librarians can enhance evidence synthesis publications by ensuring methodologies have been conducted and reported appropriately. Their recommendations helped authors revise submissions and facilitated editorial decision-making. Further research could determine if sharing reviews with subject peer-reviewers and journal editors could benefit them in better understanding of evidence synthesis methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the third edition of the Oertzen/Stalleiken commentary, providing a comprehensive guide to the Inheritance Tax Act with updated insights, legal precedents, and practical solutions for practitioners in the fields of inheritance tax, business assets, and international tax law.

The article titled "Reflections of WBC 2024 - 'A Florida Treasure'" provides a brief overview of the 25th World Bromeliad Conference held in West Palm Beach, Florida. The author shares their favorite photo highlights from the event, including Brazilian Carnival dancers, a private garden, and various bromeliad plants. The article also mentions the seven guest speakers at the conference and showcases winning entries from the competitive show. Overall, the article offers a glimpse into the conference and the diverse range of bromeliad species on display. [Extracted from the article]

Online submission portals for scholarly journal manuscripts regularly include space for a covering letter or its equivalent. But why should that opportunity mark the first contact between author and editor? This article reimagines the submission-accompanying covering letter by exploring the value of earlier outreach and correspondence between authors and editors. For authors planning submissions to journals in the humanities and humanities-adjacent social sciences, especially, this article explains the purpose and practice of initiating contact via query letter after manuscript conceptualization but before manuscript composition. Following a positively received query letter, a covering letter becomes a straightforward letter of transmittal accompanying an anticipated submission that an editor should be predisposed to welcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]